JOB DESCRIPTION

Join Our Planning Team and Help Shape the Future of Our Town!

Are you passionate about thoughtful community development and collaborative planning? Under the guidance of the Principal Planner, the Planner/Senior Planner plays a key role in shaping the growth and character of the Town of Erie. In this dynamic position, you'll review and process land use applications in accordance with the Town Code, prepare in-depth analysis reports, and contribute to long-range planning initiatives.

You'll work closely with a wide range of stakeholders — including residents, developers, landowners, Town staff, the Planning Commission, Town Council, and advisory boards — to provide guidance on the Comprehensive Plan and Municipal Code.

A background in design, urban design, or architecture would be a fantastic complement to this role, bringing valuable perspective to the planning process — though it's not required.

If you're looking for a meaningful role where your work directly influences the community, we'd love to hear from you! All staff are expected to adhere to the Town's mission, vision and values of TRUE.

Exciting new projects you could be a part of:

• Erie Town Center
• Downtown Redevelopment
• Multiple new mixed-use neighborhoods

Posting Dates:

• 11/17/2025 – 12/14/2025
  • Given the holiday season interviews with top candidates will be scheduled in the first few weeks of January.
  • Please ensure your application is submitted and complete prior to 11:59pm on 12/14/2025 to be considered.
  • All incomplete applications will be withdrawn from the process. This posting may close early without further notice.

Anticipated Work Schedule:

• Full-time, 40 hours per week, with some nights and weekends as needed.

• Attending Erie public meetings as needed. These events are typically scheduled on weeknights.
• This position is eligible to work remotely two days a week and required to work in-office three days a week.
  • Please note that Planning and Development does flex time for employees who attend weeknight meetings or weekend events.

Work Location:

• Town Hall, 645 Holbrook, Erie, CO 80516

Pay Range:

Planner

• Full Salary Range: $67,762.00/year - $88,769.00/year
• Anticipated Hiring Range: $67,762.00/year - $78,265.00/year

Senior Planner

• Full Salary Range: $82,190.00/year - $115,066.00/year
• Anticipated Hiring Range: $82,190.00/year - $98,628.00/year

Hiring rates are dependent upon experience.

To review the full job description, environmental and physical factors please review job here.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The ideal candidate has a strong background in current planning and community building, with an emphasis on design. This candidate should be comfortable with working towards high quality outcomes with development teams.

Current Planning

• Compiles and analyzes data on economic, social, and physical factors affecting land use, and prepares graphic and narrative reports on data. Presents staff reports and recommendations to the Planning Commission and Town Council.

• Reviews and evaluates major, complex project proposals to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, policies, and guidelines.
• Processes and reviews Land Use Applications. Coordinates schedules, staff, and referral agencies for multi-department reviews.
• Acts as liaison with other public and private agencies. Confers with property owners and developers to devise and recommend arrangements of land and physical facilities for residential, commercial, industrial, and community uses.
• Provide architectural and urban design expertise and guidance for private and public design projects and for proposed PD-Planned Development zoning districts.
• May negotiate with applicants and mediates conflicts, documents agreements, and monitors project implementation.

Long Range Planning

• Participates in long-range planning. Assists in preparation of planning documents for the Town, including but not limited to, the Town Comprehensive Plan, Unified Development Code and Design Guidelines.

• Recommends governmental measures affecting land use, public utilities, community facilities, and housing and transportation to control and guide community development and renewal.

Other Duties

• Assist with Affordable Housing projects.
• Assist in site inspections for land use related requirements.
• Performs related work as required and assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Planner:

• Bachelor's degree in Planning, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, or a related field.
• Two or more years of professional planning experience.

Senior Planner:

• Bachelor's degree in Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, or a related field.
• Five years or more years of professional planning experience.

A combination of education and experience may be considered.

Desired Qualifications:

• Master's degree in urban or regional planning
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)
• Design/urban design/architecture background
• Ability to negotiate with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong presentation drafting skills with the ability to translate complex planning concepts into accessible visual and written materials.
• Comfortable speaking and presenting in public forums and facilitating discussions with stakeholders, residents, and elected officials.
• Experience partnering and collaborating with multiple stakeholders
• Municipal or local government experience
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook) for communicating, reporting and presentation development.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite for producing high-quality visual content
• Familiarity with Bluebeam

Job Expectations:

• Must be able to operate a motor vehicle safely to various Town facilities and at times other locations to perform the duties of the position.  A motor vehicle record will be pulled through the background check. 
• Must be able to attend Erie public meetings as needed. These events are typically scheduled on weeknights.
• Must be able to work full-time, 40 hours per week, with some nights and weekends as needed.
• This position is eligible to work remotely two days a week and required to work in-office three days a week.
  • Please note that Planning and Development does flex time for employees who attend weeknight meetings or weekend events.

Pre-employment screenings include:

• Interview process
• Reference checks
• Background checks include: National and County Criminal Scan, Sex-Offender Registry check and Motor Vehicle Report through DMV

Accommodations:

If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact Risk Management and Recruitment at RiskManagement@erieco.gov and Recruitment@erieco.gov.

BENEFITS

Town of Erie Benefits: 

 Click here to review our full benefit options available to full time employees.

BENEFITS

Town of Erie Benefits: 

 Click here to review our full benefit options available to full time employees.